ICC announces new Young Arbitrators Forum regional representatives

The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Young Arbitrators Forum (YAF) has announced new regional representatives for its 2017-2019 mandate. Representing 40 countries and 53 cities, the elected representatives are tasked with promotion and development of the dynamic global network of young arbitration talent.

With over 10,000 members worldwide, ICC YAF is the largest young arbitration practitioners’ association of its kind, reflecting ICC’s position as the world’s leading arbitral institution.

Drawing on ICC expertise, the forum‘s educational programmes and conferences offer an ideal environment for young practitioners to exchange views on international arbitration developments and to learn directly from some of the world’s leading experts in the field.

José Feris, ICC YAF Co-Chair and Deputy Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration said: “ICC YAF has significantly expanded in recent years, in quantity, diversity and geographical reach. This has led to a record number of applications in this year’s selection process and to growth in the number of representatives chosen.

“We are delighted to have been able to choose an incredibly diverse and talented group of young professionals located all over the world in response to such expansion.”

Mr Feris added: “For the first time ever we have representatives from Afghanistan, Finland, Guatemala, Japan, Latvia, Morocco, Pakistan, Panama, Romania and Thailand. For the first time, we will also have multiple representatives in important regional arbitration hubs including Beijing, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, India, London, Mexico, Paris, Singapore, and New York. These measures will allow us to continue the advancement of our global network and build stronger ties among our members.”

With the help of the new representatives, ICC YAF will continue to organise first rate arbitration conferences and seminars in every region of the world. The new members will also play a key role not only developing the network in their respective countries but also in neighbouring states.

“We believe that through training and mentorship, we can mould the next generation of leading international arbitration and ADR experts. YAF is our far-reaching platform to better inform, connect and inspire young professionals with interests in dispute resolution,” said Mr Feris.

The new representatives will participate and take an active organising role in the forum’s flagship event, the ICC YAF Global Conference which takes place every two years. The next conference will take place in New York on 9-10 June 2017 and see current representatives hand down their roles to the new members.

During their mandate, representatives will also take part in the series of ICC YAF Regional Conferences scheduled to take place in 2018 in their respective regions.

“We are very grateful for all the hard work the former representatives put into fulfilling their mandate and the enthusiasm with which the new group members are taking up their roles. It is thanks to them that YAF continues to grow and to further open access to dispute resolution education and know-how worldwide,” said Alina Leoveanu, ICC YAF Co-Chair and Manager of the ICC International Centre for ADR.

In line with the ICC Court’s efforts to enhance transparency and diversity of international arbitration, Ms Leoveanu said that the selection process for new representatives aimed to respect gender balance, diversity of backgrounds and jurisdictions, as well as a diverse range of law firms.

“We can now rest assured that the new candidates will bring a variety of expertise that will enrich our network,” Ms Leoveanu said. “We eagerly look forward to working with them and are pleased to have them on board with us.”